Gender Role in Ghatu

Abstract

The present work explores gender role as the most significant issue depicted in Ghatu performance by analyzing the use of different signs and symbols. It deals with its aesthetic taste, logic and politics behind the performance. Moreover, it attempts to explore communal way of living of Magar community, social and cultural integrity, religious beliefs, natural prominence and agricultural dedication. Ghatu, an oral form of culture, is a tribal festival that Magar community has adopted with religious, spiritual, communal and social artifacts. Ghatu is performed on different dates annually with its rites and rituals and the main and ultimate part is performed dating on Buddha Purnima of the month of Baisakh. While analyzing the festival, it is found that Ghatu does not only show the continuity of ritual but also shows the gender performance in Magar community exploring the distinct and influential feature and strength of women in daily communal way of life. This explanation goes against the demarcation of superiority and inferiority between men and women in a society that defines and creates different stereotypes. This research work attempts to undercut the different stereotypes about women in the society analyzing the signs and symbols of Ghatu performance.